Archives

FRONT PAGE

Nine jobs, including three top-level management positions, were eliminated Thursday at Franklin Regional Medical Center in Louisburg in what is being called a surprise cost-cutting move. Included in the reduction of force was Jason Proctor, who had been president of Franklin Regional for about the last year and a half. Proctor was recruited by Novant and left a job at a Texas hospital to assume the reigns of FRMC.

A chilly November rain didn’t dampen spirits one bit Thursday morning as the Franklin County Arts Council rededicated its Justice Street building to serve as a “artist and cultural hub” for Franklin County’s multi-talented artists.Pictured (Above): OFFICIAL OPENING. With a snip of scissors the Franklin County Arts Council building was opened and rededicated Thursday. Doing the official duties were (from the left) Theresa Somerville, executive director of the Arts Council; Simon Brough, chairman of the Arts Council board; Sidney Dunston, chairman of the Franklin County commissioners; and Theresa Brown, Arts Council board member and quilt trail director.

MAPPING IT OUT. Chris Heagarty, an attorney with Mel Black & Associates, the firm tasked with developing redistricting maps, holds up one of the maps his firm has drawn during an informational meeting on Wednesday night.

YOUNGSVILLE — Franklin County commissioners will be tasked with selecting a redistricting map this coming Monday. On Thursday, residents had one last chance to weigh in on a plan that will shape county elections for the next decade.

A native North Carolinian whose work encompasses both the written word and photography was named Franklin County’s Artist of the Year Thursday evening. Donna Campbell Smith, who lives at May’s Crossroads near Franklinton, was presented the award by Billy Farmer, last year’s winner, during the Franklin County Arts Council’s annual meeting in Louisburg.

FRANKLINTON — Town management has drafted new purchasing policies and procedures to address deficiencies and weaknesses pointed out in a draft audit. During a special-called meeting on Monday night, commissioners are expected to make more changes to support fiscal responsibility.

A court of appeals, for the second time, has dealt a blow to a family’s case alleging that negligence by rescue workers has left a man permanently injured. The case, though, remains on life support. Larry Green was hit by a car as he crossed the road at the U.S. 401/N.C. 39 split in Ingleside on Jan. 24, 2005.

Franklin County farmers who have shown an ability to adapt and overcome were tabbed as Farmers of the Year by an agricultural advocacy group. The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association presented John and Betty Vollmer with the honor during the 26th annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Durham earlier this month.

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Tomato paste on pizza crust a vegetable? Really? A vegetable? Just when we all thought the collective intelligence of Congress had reached the bottom, they have surprised us again not in a good way! Proving once again that we get all the government the lobbyists pay for, the U.S. Congress wants to keep pizza and french fries on school lunch menus and says tomato paste is enough of a vegetable!

Two things, seemingly unrelated, tell us much about the problems facing rural parts of this state and speak volumes about the challenges we face. The first was just infuriating -- but we can solve it. The big box stores are opening as early as Thanksgiving evening around the country, making a mockery of a national holiday in a selfish grab for cash.

GOOD MORNING: Yep, it was a bit on the cool side yesterday (Friday) morning — 26.4 out my way at 7:23 a.m. with frost that looked like a young snow. But you know what? Temperatures are expected to rebound again over the weekend possibly getting into the upper 60’s to low 70’s again early next week.

RALEIGH – Now that the 2011 election cycle is history, voters will begin to turn their attention to next year’s crop of political candidates. They will judge these candidates – for president, Congress, governor, state legislature, and other offices – on the basis of whether they offer sensible and realistic solutions to our economic woes. What policies do they think will best draw investor dollars into new business ventures and job creation?

Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the excellent care that I received at Franklin Regional Medical Center. From the Emergency Room to the day I was discharged nine days later, I received professional and caring care from every member of the staff.

WINSTON-SALEM— Funeral services for Timothy Evon Beal, 59, who died Monday, Nov. 14, 2011, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. John Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

YOUNGSVILLE —Funeral services for Eula Lee Teasley, 66, who died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2011, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at Kinches Christian Church, with the Rev. Willie R. Dixon III officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

ZEBULON - Douglas Arnold “Fatback” Jones, 47, died Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 at his home. Funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 18, at Richland Community Church in Wake Forest, with Pastor Brian Merritt officiating, followed by a Patriot Guard Riders escort and burial at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens.

LOUISBURG - Funeral services for James Henry Washington, who died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, at Richardson Funeral Home in Louisburg, with the Rev. Ronnie Rorie Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Cemetery on the Hill.

KNIGHTDALE— Wayne C. Pearce, 72, died Friday at Wellington Nursing Center where he had been a resident for the last 17 years. Funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday at Pearce Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mark Cottrell officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

BUNN -- Following his club’s first practice of the preseason in August, Bunn boys soccer coach Benj Daniels told his fiancee that the Wildcats might experience their share of struggles this fall. One day later, Daniels relayed a much different message to her after Kevin Strassburger showed up for a tryout.

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Five Catawba College players, including Louisburg High School alum Lakeem Perry, have earned post season football honors from the South Atlantic Conference Named first team All-SAC was Perry, a senior linebacker, and junior cornerback Jumal Rolle (Wilson Beddingfield High School).

NCC’S FINEST SPIKER. Franklinton High School senior outside hitter Alexis Degrasse has been selected as the 2011 Northern Carolina Conference Volleyball Player of the Year. Degrasse helped the Lady Rams to a 2nd-round playoff berth.

FRANKLINTON -- Franklinton’s volleyball resurgence continued this fall, and senior veteran Alexis Degrasse once again played a huge role in the Lady Rams’ success. Degrasse, an outside hitter, helped FHS take second place in both the Northern Carolina Conference Tournament and regular season standings.

‘The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of’ would have been an appropriate title to Jeremy Atkinson’s men’s basketball career at Louisburg College. Atkinson, an undersized forward from Wilson, played much bigger than his 6-foot-4 frame for the Hurricanes. He led LC to a pair of Region X Tournament Championships and ensuing appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Corinth Holders lapped the field during the 2011 Northern Carolina Conference cross country schedule -- so it was no surprise that the Pirates and Lady Pirates were represented heavily on the All-NCC XC squad. CHHS’Anthony Mercado was the Boys Runner of the Year after leading his club to the conference championship.

HENDERSON -- The young Vance-Granville Community College men’s basketball season has not yet produced a victory. On Nov. 5, the team’s first game of the regular season, and the first for new VGCC head coach Tim James, was a nail-biter.

Louisburg College men’s basketball fans are certainly familiar with this display -- a dunk from former Hurricane star Jeremy Atkinson, who is a junior starter for the University of North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs. Atkinson is shown sending one down for UNC-A.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Raffles Hair Salon, located at 505 Retail Way (next to Wal-Mart) in Louisburg, will be holding a fundraiser for Safe Space on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 1 to 6 p.m. All haircuts are $15, with all proceeds going to Safe Space. The fundraiser is for haircuts only. For more information, call Raffles Hair Salon, (919) 340-2000 or Safe Space at 497-5599.

Franklin County and Franklinton are heading to court. A three-hour court-ordered mediation failed Tuesday night, ending the last chance either side had of settling out of court a water dispute that has stretched on longer than a year. “Absolutely no (expletive deleted) action was taken,” Franklinton Mayor Elic Senter said before tersely ending the town’s portion of the joint meeting inside the Franklin County Courthouse.

Police arrested a Franklinton man on drug charges. According to a report by Officer S. Zuniga, he and Franklinton Sgt. K.J. Hornaday were conducting a drivers license checkpoint the afternoon of Nov. 15 when a burgundy minivan approached their position on Winston and Peace streets.

PREP FOOTBALL

KINSTON -- One play. From three yards out. With the outcome of the game -- and the season -- on the line. How could you blame Chris Miller for trusting his offense in a one-and-done situation at the end of Friday’s showdown between Miller’s Bunn Wildcats and the host Kinston Vikings in the third round of the Class 2-AA State Football Playoffs?